In the process of becoming a teacher !

03-11-2018

Hyderabad

I was having a rough day and reached home tired. After an hour of reaching home, my two little flowers turned up for dance class. Seeing those innocent faces itself would always be an instant mood lift. Today, it was even more wonderful as my two 6-year-old students were determined to perfect their steps. They didn't complain of their sweating, they didn't complain of me not giving a water break, they didn't even complain about their legs hurting. All they wanted was a little pat from me that they did well. While one student strives to maintain her constant smile on her face just because I asked her to smile, the other student wouldn't stop dancing until I say. Sometimes, I ask her to practice the same step and would forget. After 15 minutes, I still see her dancing without break and I always end up being in a state of awe at her determination. Teaching was never my passion as I consider myself still a student and I like performing. But, when I get such loving and determined kids, my heart fills with happiness. I feel it is the teacher's utmost responsibility to be fair with the students and teach them according to their capabilities. Such small yet lovely instances make me go back to my childhood days where I used to learn dance. My master, Satyam sir used to come from Kuchipudi to Rajahmundry just to teach me and we used to dance from morning 8AM to 8PM or so. (With only a break for lunch and rest between 1-3). In summers, I used to go to Kuchipudi and Hyderabad and stay with Satyam sir and learn. In many instances, I was so cruel that I used to wake him from afternoon naps and used to say, "Sir! enough of sleeping. Let's dance". I wonder how he never complained about teaching me for hours. For him, perhaps, I was just a student, but for me, my master was everything. I always looked up to him and just a subtle compliment from him would be a big deal for me. I remember those 2-3 subtle compliments I got from him in my entire life. Even if I was ever wrong, he would slowly make me understand(Well, otherwise, I would cry and stop dancing like a stubborn brat :P). After realizing how important a teacher plays a vital role in creating impressions in the minds of students, I try to be very careful in finding faults or in complimenting my students. Just one word from a teacher is enough to either build or collapse their confidence. What a difficult job it is! After all, we are all teachers' pets rather than parents' and teaching kids is almost like raising a kid. May all we be grateful for our teachers and find many more great teachers, who teach us life lessons.

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